NameCensus.

UK surname

Carnie

An occupational surname referring to a person who worked in a carnival or circus.

In the 1881 census there were 520 people recorded with the Carnie surname, ranking it #6,564 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 461, ranked #10,625, down from #6,564 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Cluny, Banchory-Ternan and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mearns and Laurencekirk, Cruden and North Leith and Newhaven.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Carnie is 553 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 11.3%.

1881 census count

520

Ranked #6,564

Modern count

461

2016, ranked #10,625

Peak year

1901

553 bearers

Map years

8

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Carnie had 520 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #6,564 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 461 in 2016, ranked #10,625.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 553 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities.

Carnie surname distribution map

The map shows where the Carnie surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Carnie surname density by area, 1881 census.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

Back to top

Carnie over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 293 #7,783
1861 historical 354 #7,224
1881 historical 520 #6,564
1891 historical 445 #8,134
1901 historical 553 #7,500
1911 historical 93 #23,492
1997 modern 515 #9,110
1998 modern 512 #9,414
1999 modern 521 #9,362
2000 modern 504 #9,575
2001 modern 468 #9,949
2002 modern 490 #9,771
2003 modern 486 #9,688
2004 modern 476 #9,861
2005 modern 473 #9,841
2006 modern 478 #9,806
2007 modern 472 #9,978
2008 modern 476 #10,012
2009 modern 481 #10,148
2010 modern 491 #10,192
2011 modern 460 #10,594
2012 modern 454 #10,588
2013 modern 456 #10,722
2014 modern 470 #10,557
2015 modern 470 #10,480
2016 modern 461 #10,625

Geography

Back to top

Where Carnies are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Cluny, Banchory-Ternan, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mearns and Laurencekirk, Cruden, North Leith and Newhaven, Bucksburn North and Stonehaven South. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Cluny Aberdeen
2 Banchory-Ternan Kincardine
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mearns and Laurencekirk Aberdeenshire
2 Cruden Aberdeenshire
3 North Leith and Newhaven City of Edinburgh
4 Bucksburn North Aberdeen City
5 Stonehaven South Aberdeenshire

Forenames

Back to top

First names often paired with Carnie

These lists show first names that appear often with the Carnie surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

Back to top

Neighbourhood profile for Carnie

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Carnie, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Legacy Communities

Group

Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities

Nationally, the Carnie surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Legacy and Demographically Mixed Communities, within Legacy Communities. This does not mean every Carnie household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Households in these areas often include divorced or separated parents and commonly include children and young adults. The age structure is heavily skewed towards the most advanced age groups. Individuals identifying as members of ethnic minorities are not present in large numbers. Flats predominate, with some terraced, semi-detached, and detached units. Multiple car ownership is low, and housing is predominantly in the private and social rented sectors. Employment is less skewed towards traditional routine industrial occupations. Levels of educational attainment are generally low. The Group occurs principally in the Central Lowlands of Scotland and other Scottish towns.

Wider pattern

These neighbourhoods characteristically comprise pockets of flats that are scattered across the UK, particularly in towns that retain or have legacies of heavy industry or are in more remote seaside locations. Employed residents of these neighbourhoods work mainly in low-skilled occupations. Residents typically have limited educational qualifications. Unemployment is above average. Some residents live in overcrowded housing within the social rented sector and experience long-term disability. All adult age groups are represented, although there is an overall age bias towards elderly people in general and the very old in particular. Individuals identifying as belonging to ethnic minorities or Mixed or Multiple ethnic groups are uncommon.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Carnie is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Carnie is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Carnie falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Carnie is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Carnie, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Carnie

The surname Carnie is of Scottish origin, with records dating back to the 16th century. It is believed to have derived from the Gaelic word "carn," which means a small hill or cairn. The earliest known bearers of the name were concentrated in the Scottish Highlands and Lowlands, particularly in areas such as Argyll, Ayrshire, and Lanarkshire.

The name Carnie is thought to have originated as a descriptive surname, given to individuals who lived near or on a small hill or cairn. It may have also been used as a locational surname, referring to a specific place name containing the word "carn" or a variation thereof.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Carnie can be found in the Scottish Exchequer Rolls of 1564, where a certain "John Carnye" is mentioned. In the 17th century, the name appears in various parish records, including those of Ayr and Kilwinning.

Interestingly, the name Carnie has also been associated with the occupation of a traveling carnival worker or performer. This connection likely arose from the similarity between the name and the word "carnie," which is a slang term for someone who works at or travels with a carnival or circus.

Notable individuals with the surname Carnie throughout history include:

1. John Carnie (1785-1858), a Scottish poet and weaver from Ayrshire. 2. William Carnie (1830-1901), a Scottish-born Canadian businessman and politician who served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. 3. Mary Carnie (1844-1921), a Scottish-born Australian educationist and advocate for women's rights. 4. George Carnie (1875-1952), a Scottish golfer who won the British Amateur Championship in 1898. 5. Robert Carnie (1897-1983), a Scottish-born Australian journalist and author, known for his novels set in rural Australia.

While the surname Carnie may have evolved over time and taken on different connotations, its roots can be traced back to the rugged landscapes of Scotland, where it once described those who lived near or on small hills or cairns.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

Back to top

Carnie families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Carnie surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Midlothian leads with 175 Carnies recorded in 1881 and an index of 26.05x.

County Total Index
Midlothian 175 26.05x
Aberdeenshire 103 22.18x
Lanarkshire 28 1.73x
Angus 26 5.60x
Kincardineshire 25 40.94x
Yorkshire 23 0.46x
Ayrshire 19 5.06x
Renfrewshire 15 3.86x
Stirlingshire 15 8.11x
Lancashire 14 0.24x
Fife 12 4.04x
Dunbartonshire 10 7.42x
Banffshire 8 7.69x
Berwickshire 7 11.53x
Derbyshire 7 0.89x
Kent 5 0.29x
Middlesex 4 0.08x
Monmouthshire 4 1.10x
Cheshire 3 0.27x
Roxburghshire 2 2.20x
Surrey 2 0.08x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.31x
Durham 1 0.07x
Leicestershire 1 0.18x
Perthshire 1 0.44x
Wigtownshire 1 1.50x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. North Leith in Midlothian leads with 160 Carnies recorded in 1881 and an index of 514.80x.

Place Total Index
North Leith 160 514.80x
Aberdeen Old Machar 34 35.07x
Aberdeen St Nicholas 20 23.02x
Banchory Ternan 10 189.39x
Church 10 119.05x
Stirling 10 42.88x
Drumoak 9 562.50x
Dumbarton 9 48.00x
Glasgow 9 3.13x
Govan 9 2.24x
Holy Trinity 9 7.53x
Liff Benvie 9 12.76x
Montrose 8 28.42x
Skene 8 259.74x
Batley 7 14.82x
Coldingham 7 128.21x
Derby St Werburgh 7 15.44x
Kilmarnock 7 15.67x
Kintore 7 173.27x
Paisley High Church 7 22.62x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 6 2.22x
Fetteresso 6 62.70x
Inverurie 6 114.29x
Kilbarchan 6 50.85x
Aberlour 5 151.52x
Barony 5 1.22x
Deptford St Paul 5 3.79x
Falkirk 5 11.55x
Largs 5 56.56x
Monkton Prestwick 5 136.99x
Peterculter 5 152.44x
Shettleston 5 34.44x
Arbroath 4 25.99x
Burntisland 4 48.19x
Dundee 4 2.31x
Durris 4 228.57x
Monymusk 4 201.01x
Sculcoates 4 5.08x
Upper Llanvrechva 4 71.05x
Anderton 3 508.47x
Echt 3 133.93x
North Bierley 3 11.18x
Scoonie 3 46.66x
Strachan 3 252.10x
Bervie 2 55.25x
Dalkeith 2 15.09x
Dysart 2 10.01x
Mortlach 2 39.37x
Neilston 2 10.25x
Old Deer 2 22.73x
Oswaldtwistle 2 9.51x
Alford 1 39.53x
Arbirlot 1 70.92x
Arrochar 1 112.36x
Bishopwearmouth 1 0.78x
Crailing 1 90.91x
Daviot 1 113.64x
Dunfermline 1 2.19x
Dyce 1 50.00x
Edinburgh Canongate 1 5.85x
Edinburgh St Georges 1 7.17x
Edinburgh St Stephens 1 7.56x
Gamrie 1 8.61x
Inveresk 1 5.50x
Kemnay 1 35.59x
Lambeth 1 0.23x
Leith South 1 108.70x
Middleton In Oldham 1 5.61x
Moneydie 1 243.90x
Poplar London 1 1.06x
Preston 1 0.63x
South Leith 1 1.32x
Southwark St John 1 6.52x
Spitalfields London 1 2.65x
St Andrews 1 7.40x
St Ann Blackfriars London 1 107.53x
St Benedict Cambridge 1 55.87x
Stranraer 1 16.42x
Symington 1 83.33x
Tyrie 1 17.15x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Carnie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ann 3
Elizabeth 3
Mary 3
Minnie 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Alice 1
Anges 1
Anna 1
Clara 1
Fanny 1
Jane 1
Janet 1
Jessie 1
Kate 1
Lesette 1
Louisa 1
Margaret 1
Margret 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Carnie surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 7
William 7
James 5
Thomas 4
Charles 2
Michael 2
Andrew 1
David 1
Edward 1
Frederick 1
Matthew 1
Patrick 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Samuel 1
Timothy 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Carnie surname: questions and answers

How common was the Carnie surname in 1881?

In 1881, 520 people were recorded with the Carnie surname. That placed it at #6,564 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Carnie surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 461 in 2016. That gives Carnie a modern rank of #10,625.

What does the Carnie surname mean?

An occupational surname referring to a person who worked in a carnival or circus.

What does the Carnie map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Carnie bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.